Artist in Residence (AIR) Program Goes the Distance! Even though we didn't get to hold the festival or our traditional activities, we're keeping the Youth Art Program in full swing. Check out the contest and artwork submissions from our talented youth artists!

​

Harney @ Home - As you know, we are urging birders and other outdoor enthusiasts to keep their travel local and wait to visit Harney County until the COVID-19 situation improves. Rural communities are especially at risk and we appreciate you staying home and saving lives! We understand you are missing the great spring migration that fills the Harney Basin each spring... so we're doing our best to BRING THE SITES AND SOUNDS OF HARNEY COUNTY TO YOU! For the past several weeks, and into the summer, the Friends of Malheur Refuge, Portland Audubon, High Desert Partnership, and the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival are sharing images, videos, and tours of the Basin through our social media pages. Find us / our partners on Facebook and get a virtual glimpse of what's happening in Harney County!

Spend an amazing weekend witnessing the spectacular spring migration in the Harney Basin of Southeast Oregon. View thousands of migratory birds as they rest and feed in the open spaces of Oregon's high desert. Held annually in April in Harney County.

The Harney County Migratory Bird Festival was first held in 1981 ​to celebrate the large annual migration of birds passing through Harney Basin on the Pacific Flyway. Harney Basin is one of the three most important areas left in the western United States for spring migratory birds stopping on their way north.

​

Over 300 species of birds use the refuge throughout each year, making Harney Basin a bird watcher's paradise. Today, we continue to celebrate the migratory birds' return each year with guided tours led by experts, workshops, and fun activities for both youth and adults.

The Harney County Migratory Bird Festival Planning Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 event based on the March 16 mandate from Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

It’s in the best interest of the community, exhibitors, and participants. This decision was particularly difficult give our 10 months of preparation and high hopes to deliver our best event ever. The situation has developed rapidly and despite our best intents to provide extra precautions, the risk to all-involved is too high for us to move forward.

This is the first time we’ve canceled our event in it’s 40-year duration! We know this will disappoint many who’ve looked forward to this Festival. We are disappointed as well, but the health of the greater community is too important to risk. Full refunds will be issued to every person who is registered. Watch your email for a cancellation confirmation, and your bank account for funds credited.

When close-gathering restrictions are lifted, we encourage you to travel to Harney County and enjoy everything our great community has to offer.

Thank you for your patience and understanding and we hope to see you all in 2021. It will surely be our best year yet!

Annual members are eligible to register for festival tours and activities one week before the general public. That means you get first choice on your weekend plans and don’t have to compete with hundreds of other festival goers!

Only 50 memberships are sold each year. Proceeds support the Youth Art Program!